2026

Protected Horticulture

Name: Protected Horticulture
Code: FIT13818L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area: Agronomy

Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Sustainable Development Goals

Learning Goals

Provide specific knowledge about the means of crop protection, the influence of the climate on their growth and development, and the techniques for conducting crops in a protected environment. To capacity the students for the production of cultures in a protected environment.

Contents

Introduction
Concepts and definitions
General considerations on protected horticulture
Production conditions
Theoretical and technical foundations
Climatic factors
Optical properties of plastic, greenhouse effect, frost, humidity, etc.
Biological aspects
Effects of the growing environment on plant growth and development
Carbonic fertilization
Production of assimilates and fruit production
Protection methods
Mulching
Frost cloths ‘”fleece”
Low tunnels and high tunnels
Hotbeds
Greenhouses
Protected culture in the Mediterranean
Advantages and limitations
Soil nature
Water quality and salinity control
Soil diseases
Disinfection
Alternative methods
Solarization
Soilless cultivation
Grafting
Crop production
Methods and techniques for conducting specific crops in a protected environment (tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, roses, etc.).

Teaching Methods

The approach of the contents of the UC is made through theoretical-practical lectures on each topic, followed by study visits and laboratory classes.

The assessment includes 2 written tests with a quotation of 50% or a final written exam.